Envelope



Sept. 15, 1931. w, JENRICH 1,823,362

ENVELOPE Filed Nov. 21. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l //v rap-- Sept. 15, 1931.

W. A. JENRICH ENVELOPE Filed Nov. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 way/V7 9.

Patented Sept. 15, 1931 WILLIAM ALLEN JENRICH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PATENT OFFICE ENVELOPE Application filed November 21, 1928. Serial No. 320,895.

This invention relates to improvements in envelopes and more particularly to a return envelope. One object is to provide an envelope of this class that can be used either for first or second class mail. A further ob ject is to. provide a return envelope in the use of which the name and address of the original or first user are never destroyed. A further object is to provide an envelope formed of a single blank of such shape that a saving is effected in cutting the stock.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application for patent and in which I Figs. 1 and 2 are views, in perspective, of an envelope in two positions just before sealing the same.

Fig. 3 is a view of the blank from which the envelope is to be formed.

Fig. 4 is a view, of the envelope complete,

" in end elevation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are plan views in relatively reversed positions of a slightly modified form of the envelope.

Fig.8 is a view of the blank from'which this form of the envelope is to be formed.

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of the modified form of envelope, sealed.

Like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The present envelope serves both as an original and a repeat or return envelope and will, therefore during its life, carry and protect two letters, effecting a material saving in stock, in weight, and its use will effect a saving in time. The duplex or return envelope is formed of a single piece of stock 1 of substantially oblong shape.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive the stock is divided longitudinally by a central line 2 and transversely by a central line 3, said lines intersecting each other at the point 4. A major flap 5 is formed along one longitudinal edge 6 of the stock upon one side of the line 3, and asimilar major flap 7 is formed along the opposite longitudinal edge 8 and upon the opposite side of the said line 3, said major flaps 5, 7 being therefore obliquely opposite each other, both of said flaps being gummed in the customary manner and upon the same side.

A minor flap 9 is formed along one end edge 10 of the stock upon one side of the longitudinal center line 2, and a similar minor flap 11 is formed along the opposite end edge 12 upon the opposite side of the said center line 2, a strip portion 13 upon one side of the line 2 and a like strip portion 14 upon the opposite side of that line being gummed. The stock is thus divided or marked off into portions 15, 16 which are provided with major flaps along their longitudinal edges and with minor flaps along their end edges, and into portions 17, 18 which are fiapless butthe end edges of which are gummed. The portion 15is to receive, upon the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 3, the address of the party to whom the envelope is first directed; and the portion 16 is to receive, upon the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 3, the address of the originator or the return address.

The minor flaps 9, 11 are now folded inwardly toward each other upon the inner side of the stock, which is the side shown in Fig. 3. The portions 16, 17 are now folded along the line 3 against the portions 15, 18, the letter to be carried having been placed upon the faces of portions 15, 18 exposed in Fig. 3. Thcfiap 7 is now folded down against the portion 16 upon the side bearing the address and the portions 16, 18 now lying upon each other are folded along the line 2 upon the portions 17,15. The flap 5 is now folded down upon one face of the portion 18 and sealed, that face of the portion 15 exposed now bearing the address clearly exposed. iVhen the letter is received it is opened by cutting the flap 5 free from the longitudinal edge of the portion 15. The sections 15, 17 are separated or unfolded from the sections 16, 18 along the line 2 and the stock next unfolded along the line 3. The contents are now removed. The new letter or reply is inserted in the envelope upon the portions 15, 18 and it is again folded first along the line 3 and then along the line 2 but this time the fold along the line 2 is in a reverse direction to that in which it was first folded and the flap 7 which has been folded inwardly against the portion 16 but not sealed is folded outwardly and against the portion 17 and there sealed thus fully exposing the return address upon the portion '16. The envelope is opened the secondstime bythe original sender simply cutting the flap 7.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive-the stock 1 is marked and cut as follows 1: The longitudinal center line 2 is bisected by the transverse center line-3 .thus dividing the stock into portionsqlt), 20, 21., 22,. the portions 19 22 being formed along their outer end edges and upon opposite sides of the center line. 2 with the mucilaged flaps 23.24, said flaps extending from the said center-line a distance slightly more than two-thirds of the width of their respective portions and auxiliary flaps 25, .26; being formed diametrically opposite the flaps 23, 24 of exactly half the lengthofsaid flaps, said auxiliary flaps being disposedupon opposite sides of the transverse center line 3 anddian'letrically op posite each other. From the relatively outer ends of the auxiliary flaps thestock portions 19 and 22 are mucilaged along the edges 27 and. 28. the stock being sheared off longitudinally from the relatively inner terminations of said auxiliary flaps to formthe parallel straightedges 29, 30. 7

The letter is placed upon the exposed face of the portion 19. The stock is first folded along the longitudinal centerline 2. The flapless parts of the portions 19- aud 22-having the mucilaged edges27, 28 are now folded along lines. 31, 32 respectively, said linesconnecting one flap 23 or '24 with its auxiliary flap 25 or 26, said flapless parts falling upon opposite faces of their respective-stoclrportions the width of said flapless portions being such that their mucilaged edges will over lap the edges 29, 30. The flap 24 is now folded inwardly against the exposed face of the portion 22. Fig. 8 which portion together with portion 20 is then folded along the cenvter line 3 against the exposed faces,Fig. 8,

of theportions 19, 21. Thefiap 23 is now folded down and mucilaged to theportion 22 the exposed face of the portion 19 lo-earthe address of the first recipient.

The exposed face, Fig. 8, of the portion 22 which is now folded inwardlybears the return address. lVhen the envelope is togbe returned the flap 23Vis out along its nonmucilaged edge, the envelope unfolded along the lines 2 and 3 to permit removal of the contents and insertion of a ne-wletter. The envelope is new again folded along-theline ,2 and then along the line 3 in a reverse direction to which it-was first folded 'and'the flap 24 sealeddown against the portions 21, 18 at which time the return address will be exposed and the envelope again sealed. The flap 24 is, of course, out along its nonmucilaged edge to again open the envelope.

What is claimed is A double envelope comprising a blank having a body'portion substantially rectangular in shape and having a longitudinally extending fold line midway its width and a transversely extending fold line midway its length, the said fold line dividing the body into quarter sections, diagonally opposed sections being gummed along their end edges and the other'diagonally opposed sections having. tongues attheir ends and flaps along their sides, the ton es'being'fo'lded inwardly. and the body then folded along'its transversely extending fold line to dispose the tongues inposition to adhere to'the gummed end portions of the first sections and form end closures and. dispose the flaps above and below a pocketformedby the folde'd'blank, the blank being then folded along the-longitudinally-extending fold'lin-ebetween the adjoining ends ofsaid tonguestorprovide front and rearportions with the flap of the rear portion. disposed between the same and the flap of thefront portion overlying the outer face of-the rear portion and ad-apted'to be secured thereto.

ln. testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature.

WILLIAM ALLEN JENRICH. 

